Sport

Jessica Judd finishes third at Glasgow Grand Prix

JESSICA Judd has taken a liking to the track she will be racing on at the Commonwealth Games in two weeks’ time.

The 19-year-old, from Canvey, finished third in the 800m at the Glasgow Grand Prix at Hampden Park on Saturday, beating all the Home Nations rivals she will compete against at the Commonwealth Games.

She was agonisingly close to running under two minutes for the second time this year, clocking 2m 0.01s in a performance that pushes her claim to be named as the third British 800m athlete for the European Championships in Zurich two weeks after the Commonwealth Games.

Lynsey Sharp and Alison Leonard have been confirmed as the two definite athletes heading to the European Championships – with Leonard’s time of 2m 0.02s in Glasgow sealing her place.

Judd is now hoping the selectors overlook her disappointing performance at the trials where she finished fourth and, instead, look at the fact she is the second fastest on the national rankings and at her performance at Hampden Park.

“I had a chest infection at the trials which I didn’t know until afterwards,” Judd told the BBC after her race.

“I just had that really bad race at the trials. My family and my boyfriend, Chris, have helped me get back up so I hope that’s enough.

“I’m so glad for Alison. It’s just amazing that British middle-distance running is going so well and I’m just glad to be a part of it.”